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DPC Education Center to Become a Member of the TAQIL Leadership Coordinating Council with HSAG

2024-03-28T20:58:56-04:00October 12th, 2021|Categories: eNews, Kidney Transplant, News & Events|

In September, The DPC Education Center signed a letter of commitment to become a member of the TAQIL  Leadership Coordinating Council with the Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG) which had been awarded the CMS Technical Assistance, Quality Improvement, and Learning (TAQIL) Contract. As a member of the Council, we agree to  support their efforts to increase recovery of kidneys by organ procurement organizations and utilization of kidneys by transplant centers. This includes the aims of increasing deceased donor transplants and reducing kidney discard rate. The Dialysis Patient Citizens Education Center recognizes the importance of all parties working together to improve the [...]

Ask Your Nephrologist: What is happening to my skin and nails?

2024-03-28T20:59:08-04:00May 19th, 2021|Categories: Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Physical Health, The Kidney Citizen|

Keith A. Bellovich, DO There is a broad range of skin manifestations when having to depend on dialysis. Skin disorders can affect a patient's quality of life and can negatively impact their mental and physical health. Itching (uremic pruritus) is by far the most common complaint that patients suffer. But dry skin (xerosis cutis) and skin discoloration are also common complaints in patient with severe loss of kidney function. Dry skin is caused by reduction in the size of sweat glands and atrophy of sebaceous or oil producing glands. Dry skin increases the susceptibility to infections and this is aggravated by [...]

Getting Fit After Transplant

2024-03-28T20:59:13-04:00April 19th, 2021|Categories: Kidney Transplant, Lifestyle, Physical Health, The Kidney Citizen|

By Collette Powers, MA, RDN, LDN, ACSM EP First of all, let us start off by saying a huge congratulations! Whether you are preparing for a transplant or already received a kidney transplant, you have taken a pro-active step in your own healthcare. This is a major accomplishment and one worth much recognition. Kudos to you! As part of the transplant journey, you learn a great deal of information regarding the transplant process. Topics may range between diet management, medication management and organ infection/rejection prevention to name a few, but what about physical activity? Can you exercise after receiving your new [...]

New Organ Transplant Guideline Promotes Patient Safety, Organ Availability

2024-03-28T20:59:18-04:00April 19th, 2021|Categories: Immunizations, Kidney Transplant, The Kidney Citizen|

By Sridhar Basavaraju, MD, FACEP, CDR-USPHS and Heather Ewing Ogle, MA, MPH In the United States, there are approximately 90,000 patients with end-stage renal disease waiting for a transplant. For those patients, a kidney transplant could substantially improve their quality of life. Unfortunately, an organ offer may not be available for every patient in need because of the length of the waiting list. With guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Public Health Service released a new guideline in 2020 that may increase the number of available organs for those in need of a transplant. The [...]

Are There Living Kidney Donor Registries?

2024-03-28T20:59:36-04:00December 11th, 2020|Categories: Additional Resources, Fact Sheet, Kidney Transplant, The Kidney Citizen|Tags: |

By Harvey Mysel I’ve often been asked: “Where can I register to get a living donor?” Unlike deceased donation where there’s one national list, (although you can multi-list because some areas have a shorter wait time) there’s no such list for someone looking for a living donor. You must find your own living donor. When you do have someone that is able to be a living donor, many are not compatible with their recipient. Thirty to 50 percent of donor/recipient pairs are not compatible with each other. In such a situation the incompatible donor could still help the person in need [...]

Having a Kidney Transplant During COVID-19

2024-03-28T20:59:40-04:00November 27th, 2020|Categories: Additional Resources, Fact Sheet, Kidney Transplant, Mental Health, Stress Management, Support, The Kidney Citizen|Tags: , |

By Jewel Edwards-Ashman I started the year 2020 anticipating that I’d enter kidney failure and have to undergo my second kidney transplant. But I didn’t expect to start doing home dialysis and eventually have transplant surgery in the middle of a pandemic. Transplant surgery in ordinary circumstances comes with a high level of stress and anxiety. Having a kidney transplant during a public health crisis only exacerbated those feelings for me. To reduce my stress and manage my emotions, here are three things I did: I prioritized self-care. Most Americans, even those who aren’t living with chronic illness, have been experiencing [...]

Should I Get a Kidney Transplant?

2024-03-28T20:59:43-04:00November 5th, 2020|Categories: Additional Resources, eNews, Kidney Transplant|

Dialysis patients who are considering whether to pursue a kidney transplant can check out a new resource to help them make that decision. The resource—a guide that was written by patients with End-Stage Renal Disease—provides an overview of the decisions that need to be made when getting a transplant, the rewards and risks involved, and what to expect after the transplant. Patient stories, questions to ask transplant facilities and additional resources are also included in the guide. Download the guide.

Supporting Your Health and Wellbeing Before, During, and After Kidney Transplant

2024-03-28T20:59:52-04:00September 3rd, 2020|Categories: Additional Resources, Fact Sheet, Kidney Transplant, Lifestyle, Mental Health, Physical Health, Stress Management, Support, The Kidney Citizen|Tags: |

By Elizabeth Steinberg Christofferson, PhD and Leah Grande, MA Preparing for and receiving a kidney transplant, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, can be an uncertain and overwhelming process. This article discusses tips to promote positive mental and physical health for yourself or your loved ones. Preparing for a Transplant There are many different emotions associated with deciding to go on the transplant list, and all of these feelings are normal and valid! You may feel excited about the potential for improved health and energy, fewer restrictions on what you can eat and drink (although you still want to eat a [...]

Participating in a Clinical Trial

2024-03-28T20:59:56-04:00August 21st, 2020|Categories: Additional Resources, Early Intervention, eNews, Home Hemodialysis, In-Center Hemodialysis, Kidney Transplant, Peritoneal Dialysis, Treatment, Webinar|

New medical treatments and products are continually being developed for people living with kidney disease. Part of the development process for high quality, scientific, and safe options is through research to test the treatment or product before it becomes available on the market. This phase of research is called a clinical trial or a clinical research project. People can volunteer to be part of a clinical trial if they meet the specific requirements for the study. You might consider participating in the research process for many reasons including if it has a personal meaning for you or if you want to [...]

Public Health Service Guidelines on Organ Donation for HIV, HBV, HCV and Transplant Recipient Monitoring

2024-03-28T21:00:01-04:00July 15th, 2020|Categories: eNews, Kidney Transplant|

The U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) recently released the PHS Guideline for Solid Organ Donor Assessment for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection and Transplant Recipient Monitoring. This document updates existing PHS guidance pertaining to solid organ donors and recipients and testing for HIV, HBV, and HCV in addition to informed consent and appropriately communicating the risk of disease transmission to transplant candidates. The revised guideline reflects substantial advances in testing technology and treatment that improve patient safety. Key things for you to know: Risk of infection due to transplant is very low. [...]

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